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Manna... of those heavenly songs

Legendary playback singer Manna Dey, who is now a Bangalorean, turned 90 on May 1.

May 8, 2009, 00:08 IST

BANGALORE: Legendary playback singer Manna Dey, who is now a Bangalorean, turned 90 on May 1. The Times of India goes down melody lane with him while tracing his Bangalore connection.On a cloudy evening in his home at Kalyan Nagar, Manna Dey sits watching TV. One almost hears the evergreen melodies of the legend wafting out of the open door. On hearing the knock, he calls out, "Come in."

`OK, shoot,' he says. What could be a better conversation opener than talk about music director Salil Chowdhury, for whom he had high regard. His eyes light up. "Salil was brilliant. He made an effortless fusion of folk tunes and western pop." About the soul-stirring Ae Mere Pyaare Watan from Kabuliwala, he says: "Bimalda (director Bimal Roy) explained the scene to me. Kabuliwala returns home late in the night to his one-room tenement and is nostalgic about his young daughter away in Kabul. I was asked to render it softly, keeping in mind that Kabuliwala wouldn't like to disturb the other occupants of the tenement. Sound recordist Sharma wanted me to sing a bit louder. But Bimalda put his foot down. After the recording, Sharma hugged me and said the song was superb." Singing in a subdued tone, Mannada says, requires great skill, recalling two other songs of his: Tu Pyaar Ka Sagar Hai (Seema) and Kasme Waade Pyaar Wafa Sab (Upkar).

Rafi And I Had Mutual Respect

(When asked about Rafi's famous quote, "You journalists listen to my songs, but I listen to Mannada's songs" ...): That was noble of Rafi Miyan. I consider him one of the best singers. With his versatility, range and dedication, he touched people's hearts. We sang several duets, and I have enjoyed those sessions. There was healthy rivalry those days... Tears rolled down my cheeks when I heard Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil (Heer Ranjha).

In the evenings, Rafi would go to his terrace and fly kites. My house was just across. I would go up to our terrace too and join in the duel. My kites used to be huge, and I used to fly them with a phirkhi. I would cut his kite and mime: `Rafi Miyan, dekho tumhari patang ko kaat diya.' Rafi would be very dejected. One day at a studio Rafi walked up to me and said: `Mannada, aap roz meri patang ko kaat rahe hain. Kya raaz hai?'. I told him: `Dekho Rafi Miyan, tumhe patang udaana nahin aata. I am a professional.'

Those days HMV used to bring cover version of songs. Basically, hit songs sung by one singer used to be sung by another. That is how I sang the Rafi hit Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par (Pyaasa).

The Inimitable Kishore

He was fun. He sang the way he liked... improvizing along the way. He was a genius... We were recording this fun number Ek Chatur Naar from Padosan with Pancham (R D Burman). The recording started at 9 am and ended at 9 pm. It was like a duel between us. Nothing went according to plan or notations. I sang `Tedhe, tedhe...', elongating the word each time. And Kishore promptly came up with `Oh tedhe, oh tedhe seedhe ho jaa re...' That was impromptu. The orchestra was baffled. Pancham saw their confusion and gestured to them to go on playing. Both Kishore and I went on, and it became a laugh riot. In the end I say `Ye yeeee yeeeeeeee'. And we all collapsed in laughter.

My Sisters, Lata And Asha

Lata's singing is divine. She has talent, determination and commitment. Her songs for Madan Mohan especially are like honey. Asha is versatile. Her voice modulation is fantastic. On my birthday this year, she sent me a letter wishing me and ending with `Tumhari pyari behen'. It moved me. Lata and Asha are like my sisters.

Raj Kapoor The Best

This man had vision, an eye for detail and a great ear for music. He would attend song recordings. `Laga Chunri Mein Daag' from Dil Hi To Hai, tuned by that great master Roshan, is considered one of my best songs. I was rehearsing this song when Raj Kapoor, on whom it was to be picturized, came to the studio. He heard me sing the tarannum and told me, `Mannada, I can't enact this song. Can't you make it a bit flat?' But Roshan was adamant. He told him: `Look, this is supposed to be a competition, and you are expected to overpower the dancer. So your song should be classical-based. This is the way it should be sung.' Finally, Raj Kapoor was convinced. Raj Kapoor, the perfectionist he was, rehearsed it till he got the lip-sync and expressions right.

Musical maestros

S D Burman: I worked as his assistant for some time. Both of us loved football. It was Sachinda's song Upar Gagan Vishal that brought me recognition as a singer. He had a great sense of humour too. He stayed close by and used to drop in at our house. I sang some great songs like Poocho Na Kaise for him.

Shankar Jaikishen: I am indebted to Shankarji for promoting my career. He brought out the best in me and dared to experiment with my voice by making me sing romantic numbers. Many of them, like Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi, became national chants. The song Ketki Gulab Juhi from Basant Bahar... I was to sing for the hero Bharat Bhushan, and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi for the hero's rival. I was apprehensive. But after that, Panditji said, "Why don't you pursue classical singing?" That was the best compliment I have ever got.

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